Colony Magazine #017 November 2019

NOVEMBER

Happy Thanksgiving

• Taste of Americana: Thanksgiving at the White House

• Remembering WWII: Local Veteran Recounts Normandy Invasion • Santa Margarita: Small Town Thanksgiving

COLONYMAGAZINE.COM

FEATURES

c ontents NOVEMBER 2019

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ATASCADERO LOAVES AND FISHES

COLONY DAYS IN FOCUS

FOOD BANK SEEKING LARGER FACILITY TO BETTER SERVE THE NEEDY

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SCENES FROM THE 46TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

TRANSITIONAL FOOD & SHELTER

LOCAL NONPROFIT APPEALS TO THE COMMUNITY FOR MORE SUPPORT

DEPARTMENTS

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SOMETHING WORTH READING 06 Publisher’s Letter ROUND TOWN 08 Colony Buzz 09 Santa Margarita: A Small Town Thanksgiving COLONY PEOPLE Col. Bill Hatch, In Memorium 13 Remembering WWII: Local Veteran Recounts

the Invasion at Normandy 12

EVENTS The Paderewski Festival Returns Oct. 31 18 In Focus: Scenes from the

2019 Colony Days Celebration 16

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Atascadero Kiwanis Club Helps to Feed the Community 31 A Cartoon by Colby Stith 32 Motion, Second, Discussion

By James J. Brescia, Ed.D.

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Celebrating Veterans Day in the North County North SLO County Happenings

TASTE OF COLONY 24 Taste of Americana:

Thanksgiving at the White House LOCAL BUSINESS 26 1800 El Pomar: An Idyllic Event Venue TENT CITY Council Kiboshes Dove Self Storage Project 29 Pope #3: Preparing to

Travel Abroad with the Kids 28

LAST WORD ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’ — Wine Country Theatre 34

ON THE COVER Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Colony Media

Colony Magazine, November 2019

November 2019, Colony Magazine

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Something Worth Reading “In a gentle way, you can shake the world."

ATASCADERO • SANTA MARGARITA • CRESTON

THE STORY OF US • ISSUE NO. 17 PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicholas Mattson PUBLISHER, OPERATIONS Hayley Mattson LEAD AD DESIGN Denise McLean

EDITOR, LAYOUT & DESIGN Luke Phillips PREPRESS PRODUCTION Sue Dill

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CONTRIBUTORS Barbie Butz James J. Brescia, Ed.D.

Proud to be Local!

Melissa Chavez

Colony Magazine ©2019 is a local business owned and published by local people, Nicholas & Hayley Mattson

Mark Diaz Meagan Friberg

*No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any means without written consent from Colony Magazine.

Neil Farrell

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Mahatma Gandhi

“A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes."

Mahatma Gandhi

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."

Mahatma Gandhi

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

Mahatma Gandhi

I

t’s that time of year again … seriously. It’s been a pretty wild year so far. All year, we were going all the way. 2019 was destined to be a year of epic proportions, no matter what. Well, the universe responded in a big way and gave us what we’d been asking for since 2017 — the Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press.

When I left the newspaper in 2017, it was to get into the magazine publishing business. I didn’t know then that my wife and I would purchase the Paso Robles Press, but that is what we did to start this venture. Following up with the launch of Colony Magazine, the ball was rolling.

Our philosophy has always been the same — no matter what the external pressures or circumstances, we just do the right thing for the right reasons. It’s worked out so far.

So when the phone call came offering us the Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press, we had to trust that the great unknown that understands how all these things work was also doing the right thing for the right reasons.

I mean, not to get weird or anything, but from the day I left the newspapers, I was not shy about saying that we were going to purchase them — is that speaking truth to power, or speaking dreams into existence, or just a mere coincidence? Depends on your own personal philosophy, I guess.

Whatever it is, it is a force that I can feel and that I’m obliged to respect in everything I do. It has had many names over the centuries, and knowing my own personal philosophy the way I do, I find it quite ironic that I’m given this opportunity in this day and age and in this cultural environment.

The pen is said to be mightier than the sword, and I have fully given myself to the idea that whatever it is that is working in my life is doing the right things for the right reasons.

So as we head into the holiday season, please listen to the quiet and powerful voice within, trust the best outcome when you can’t see the light, and do the right thing for the right reason, against all odds.

Whatever is working in the universe has a lot of experience.

Please enjoy this issue of Colony Magazine.

Nicholas Mattson 805-239-1533 nic@colonymagazine.com

Editorial Policy

Commentary reflects the views of the writers and does not necessarily reflect those of Colony Magazine. Colony Magazine is delivered free to 17,000 addresses in North San Luis Obispo County. Our costs are paid entirely by advertising revenue. Our Local Business section spotlights select advertisers. All other stories are determined solely by our editors.

For advertising inquiries and rates email publisher@colonymagazine.com, or contact one of our Advertising Representatives listed above.

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If thou wouldest win Immortality of Name, either do things worth the writing, or write things worth the reading.

— Thomas Fuller, 1727

Colony Magazine, November 2019

November 2019, Colony Magazine

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| Colony Buzz

ECHO:

HOPE for our HOMELESS

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et a start on your holiday gift and home décor shopping at the 7th Annual Holiday Bazaar. A holiday marketplace filled with unique items, homemade goodies and crafts from local vendors will fill the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, November 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 940 Creston Road in Paso Robles.

The bazaar also coincides with the nationally recognized day that celebrates small loc all y-owned businesses titled Small Business Saturday.

The El Camino Homeless Organiz ation’s homeless shelter in Atascadero will receive the proceeds. Vendor applications are available until November 25 at the church office or by contacting Kelsey Hazelton at kelseyk88@gmail. com or the Trinity Lutheran Facebook page. Also, contact

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Kelsey to donate items for the door prizes.

The attendees are encouraged to participate in the drawing for door prizes and bring donations of blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, sweatshirts, coats, jackets, scarves and gloves for all ages along with non-perishable food items, school supplies and cash or check donations.

The El Camino Homeless Organization offers shelter 24/7 with beds for 60 individuals, meals, showers and caseworker support to assist in seeking permanent housing and employment. Children’s programs include reading, art, music, nutrition and medical/ dental health monitoring. The recent Long Walk Home raised nearly $40,000. The facility is located in Atascadero at 6370 Atascadero Ave. Visit echoshelter.org for information and volunteer opportunities.

CAPSLO:

CARING for MEMORIES

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ovember is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Like so many other prevalent diseases, it seems like we all know someone with some form of dementia. It’s said that knowledge is power. Let’s take the moments to become educated about the treatments and support the Alzheimer’s Association and other organizations.

Locally, there is help for individuals with Alzheimer’s, their families and caregivers.

The CAPSLO Adult Day Care Center provides adult day care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, memory loss and dementia as well as respite for family and caregivers. The motto at the center is “Living in the Moment!” Many of the participants consider the center their second home; calling it “The Club.” There is a full schedule of daily activities to improve the social and physical abilities of seniors as well as inspiring their mental well-being. One of the program goals is to assist participants to reach and maintain their highest level of cognitive function so families can avoid their premature placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

The Adult Day Care Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1345 Oak Street, Paso Robles. Part-time and full-time care is available on an income-based sliding scale. Visitors are welcome to stop in. Call 805239-5679 to let them know you’re coming. Visit capslo.org to learn how the Community Action Partnership serves our community.

Colony Magazine, November 2019

Santa Margarita |

Community GIVES THANKS at Annual Dinner of the past year and showing gratitude for what we have.

Even though the Thanksgiving holiday only happens once a year, much has been written about gratitude and the actual, positive and proven physical and emotional ummer has ended and Fall effects it can have on us. Go ahead has begun — maybe it was and Google the word and you’ll the change in seasons that find a multitude of scientific prompted my husband to ask research papers, articles and books “What’s your favorite holiday all about practicing gratitude. and why?” It didn’t take but a “Giving thanks can make you moment to happily exclaim happier” from an article title by “THANKSGIVING!” Harvard Health or “31 Benefits of I think it caught him a little Gratitude: the Ultimate Scienceoff guard but my reasoning is Backed Guide,” from a site called simple — it hasn’t been taken Happierhuman.com, are just over by commercialism and it’s two examples. Weather you are all about gathering together with thankful in prayer, by writing in a family, friends, neighbors and even “gratitude journal,'' in thanking strangers to share good food, good a coworker or even by making company and to give thanks for a mental list of things you’re what we have. It’s usually a time grateful for, gratitude has many when everyone is welcome and all benefits. Studies have shown that, pitch in on the feast, giving what among other things, those who they have to share. practice gratitude have a decrease Some of my best memories in aches and pains, reduced stress, are of the stories and laughter increased productivity, increased at the table or the pre-meal happiness, sleep better and even excitement of bumping elbows live longer! in a busy kitchen humming with Looks like based on all the the activities of potato peeling, pie studies, the Santa Margarita making, or sweet potato mashing, Community Church was on to while surrounded by the mouthsomething good when roughly 50 watering aroma of roasting turkey. years ago, Pastor Gil Doebler and Seems like most years someone his wife Trish organized the first will inevitably end the evening Santa Margarita Thanksgiving by saying “Hey, we should do this Dinner to thank the community. more often!”

Since that time the event has Just the thought of gained in popularity and grown to Thanksgiving makes me smile — include the Parkhill Community why is that? The holiday started Church outgrowing several as a day of celebrating the harvest, locations before moving to the giving thanks for the blessings Santa Margarita Elementary

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Simone Smith

November 2019, Colony Magazine

School Cafeteria where it had 220-240 attendees last year.

Current Pastor Robert Campbell says that everyone is welcome to join in the annual dinner.

“This is not an event for the church, for the needy or for those who have no other place to go,” he said. “It is an open community dinner welcoming everyone.”

The Santa Margarita Thanksgiving Dinner is prepared and fully hosted by the church and it’s members on the Saturday before Thanksgiving as a way to thank and give back to the community. Some look forward to the event all year to see new people, gather with friends or to eat their favorite food items such as Bernie’s Rolls. Sometimes the unexpected happens like the year that the high school kids dressed up and waited on the tables.

The evening is always started off with a few words of thanks before dining begins with seniors served first. This year Mr. Henry Barba (106) and Mr. Harold Lowe (100) will be leading the way.

It is a wonderful way for people to get to know their neighbors or others in the community whose circles aren’t necessarily the

same — young, old, newcomers, longtime residents, any or no religious or political affiliation, it doesn’t matter and that’s the beauty of it. Especially in times of difficulty, there’s no better way to get us to open our minds and change the way we think or communicate with each other than to sit down across from someone to share a meal and talk about what we are grateful for. After dinner is finished the children serve the desserts while conversations continue, barriers are broken and friendships are made.

Pastor Campbell likes to encourage everyone to come in with a smile, welcome those you don’t know to join you at the table and start the conversation by sharing a few things that you are grateful for.

The Santa Margarita Thanksgiving Dinner is always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and this year will be held Saturday, November 23 at the Santa Margarita Elementary School Cafeteria, 22070 H St., Santa Margarita. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be served until 8 p.m.

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COL. BILL HATCH

REMEMBERED AS A SOLDIER, FRIEND, FATHER

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ol. William Hatch, who made his career as an Army soldier and leader, passed away at home last May at age 68.

An unassuming man, Bill traveled across the world with his family, but made Atascadero home for Ann, his wife and soulmate of 38 years, and their children, Bill Hatch II, Ashley, and India.

Bill’s military accomplishments are numerous and impressive.

He is perhaps best known in the community for having commanded both Camp San Luis Obispo and Camp Roberts and for spearheading the effort that established the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial in Atascadero.

But his most lasting impact was on people, many of whom came forward after his passing to express their feelings:

AL FONZI

“Bill was a soldier's soldier,” said veteran Al Fonzi. “He loved his country, his family, and his soldiers.

He always put them first and fought for them against the bureaucracy whenever it was necessary. I remember his infectious laugh and grin, his storytelling, and dedication to his troops. He was a true ‘servant-leader’ who always put the welfare of his

By Melissa Chavez

troops ahead of any personal concern.

“Bill was a decorated combat veteran, an Apache Attack Helicopter Battalion commander during the Gulf War in Iraq in 1991. His unit was one of the first units to cross into Iraq to take on the notorious Iraqi Republican Guard Armored forces arrayed against U.S. Forces in the desert. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is the airman's equivalent for the Silver Star, awarded for Gallantry in Action.

I miss him every day.”

TOM O’MALLEY

“Col. Hatch was a big support to our family when our son, Trevor, was at West Point,” said the former mayor of Atascadero. “When a group of about 20 of us conceptualized the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial project in Atascadero, the vote for Bill to head the effort was unanimous.

His style of leadership was of coming alongside others and connecting their efforts. The memorial project really helped him become known within the community as a personable, perceptive, insightful person, and a solid leader.”

JOE LOVELACE

“I met and worked for Col. Hatch in 2002 when he commanded the 223rd RTI in SLO,” said the Iraq

War veteran. “He was an exceptional leader who simply inspired others around him because he always put others before himself. To describe him and his life in a single word would be ‘impactful.’ He genuinely embodied all facets of leadership and positively influenced everyone around him. I would follow that man to hell with a gallon of gas strapped to my back, because I know he would get us out,” Joe said. “I am eternally grateful for having known him.”

BILL HATCH II

“The colonel always used to say that ‘leadership is a contact sport.’ He loved soldiers and their families, and he was always serving somebody — whether it was commanding an attack helicopter in Operation Desert Storm, as Chief of U.S. Army Aviation in South Korea, mentoring and training soldiers, as a Kiwanis member for 19 years, or speaking to local students on their field trips about the Atascadero Veterans Memorial. He always set high standards, led by example, and never asked anyone to do what he wasn’t willing to do himself,” said Col. Hatch’s son, a former Marine Corps captain.

ASHLEY (HATCH) SILVEIRA

“Dad was never too big for anyone, nor was anyone too small for him — he was the same, no matter who you were. He never gave up on me. If I felt any distance, it was of my own making. He always let me find my own path, but how much I listened to his guidance determined the degree of difficulty. The only thing I wish were different was that I had more time,” Ashley said. “I wish more people could have had a dad like him. If I accomplished 25 percent of what he did and performed it half as well, I’d call my life a success.”

INDIA (HATCH) FURBER

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“Our dad served his country for 42 years with so much dedication and

honor. During that time, he served his family by being the most incredible role model and loving father. We didn’t realize he could outdo his already impeccable military career and his fatherly love until we saw him become a ‘pawpaw.’ He loves his grandchildren more than anything in this mortal world. Our dad’s love for his grandchildren was palpable and you could see the joy in his eyes as the swelled with happy tears watching four babies bounce around his home. There is no love like the love of our father.

ANN HATCH

“Sometimes, in the course of one’s life you get to meet someone extraordinary,” Col. Hatch’s wife said.

“I was honored and blessed to marry that someone. Bill was my real-life ‘Officer and a Gentleman.’ I was drawn to his stories, his penchant for retelling history, and his ability to make me laugh. He was the dashing army pilot with a heart of a lion and a spirit for adventure. He showed determination, love, and commitment to soldiers and family that I’d only imagined. But I was most impressed that he always chose to do ‘the harder right over the easier wrong.’ He will be remembered for inspiring others to be better than even they thought possible. He touched the lives of many, and he is forever missed.”

Colony Magazine, November 2019

"In Normandy, it was like the Fourth of July seeing all that artillery fire. It was like being in a movie. Yeah, that was something"

Atascadero Veteran Recounts Invasion at Normandy

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By Mark Diaz

or a brief moment at 0200 hours on June 6, 1944, Paratrooper Chester “Chet” Pickard looked out over an expanse bathed in moonlight as the wind rushed around him and artillery lit the sky.

At 19 years of age, Chet took one fateful leap into the clean night air over Normandy and plummeted into the annals of history.

“In Normandy, it was like the Fourth of July just seeing all those gun flashes, oh yeah, and seeing all that artillery fire. It was like being in a movie. Yeah, that was something,” said the 95-year-old Atascadero resident. He added that it was a beautiful night, “the moon shone like the sun.”

Chet’s regiment, the 508th Parachute Infantry was formed on Oct. 1942 and saw combat for almost the entire duration of the war. The 82nd Airborne Division was an integral part of the Normandy Invasion, Operation Neptune. Over 10,000 U.S. troops fell from the skies to wrest supply bridges and causeways from enemy forces as the frontal assault was carried out on the beaches.

Chet recalled the long walk in the darkness to regroup with his brothers in arms. He said the silence that welcomed him was unsettling.

“When I landed,” Chet said, “I think it was an hour before I ran into anybody else. There was nobody else around, not a single soul. And you think that ain’t a lonely feeling.”

He said he originally followed protocol and kept to the bushes to remain hidden, but quickly gave up on it.

“Ever try to be quiet going through a hedgerow? I went through a few of those and said, ‘to [heck] with this noise, and started walking down the road.”

The vet ’s one-liners and humorous observations denote his keen mind after all these years.

When asked why he joined the military he said it was a choice between joining and being drafted and as far as why he chose to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, he said the pay was better.

Paratroopers earned an additional $50 a month, which equates to $730 in today’s market. He explained that the Army wanted him to stay as a trainer instead of going to Europe, but he told them the pay was too good to pass up.

Chet displayed a picture of his friends in uniform as they celebrated Christmas in France.

The youngest in the group of vets, he hardly looks the type to

November 2019, Colony Magazine

participate in one of the largest frontal assaults in the war.

On his 20th birthday, Chet parachuted into Holland during Operation Market Garden. In “honor” of his birthday, they let him jump first. “[Holland] was the best jump we ever made,” Chet said. “They weren’t even shooting at us.”

He said the Dutch treated them as heroes. He told a story of how one trooper picked up some eggs that were phonies, called ‘nest eggs’ that are used to train chickens where to lay eggs.

“He put them in his welded cap — I bet we carried those for two hours!” he said.

When they stopped by another ranch to ask for eggs, the lady just laughed at the eggs and said she could do better and brought the soldiers two chickens.

“We said, ‘what are we suppose to do with two live chickens? She

said, ‘How are you going to win the war if you can’t kill two chickens!”

Chet was awarded the purple heart when his right shoulder was clipped by a piece of shrapnel.

He took the first Jeep he could find and drove himself to a medic MASH unit (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) and thought the injury was his ticket out of the war.

“I remember that because I kept thinking, ‘Oh boy, now I get to go to England and have this big operation,” Chet said. He laughed, recalling that the medic sutured him in no time flat and sent him back to the battlefront.

Chet focused on the lighter events during the interview, though he briefly mentioned darker experiences. He spoke of how he watched a German surrender and was looted of valuables by allied soldiers.

“I was in a foxhole and a German come out and gave himself up and I just turned him over to the other guys,” Chet said.

“I hate to say this, but the guys that I turned him over to they acted like a bunch of vultures… I couldn’t believe it.”

He also remembered how England’s welcome grew cold once the war was over because the US troops made so much more money than the British soldiers and it was hurting the local economy.

Of course, mere words cannot properly express the insanity that is war, especially not words from a writer that has never seen combat.

At one point in the interview, Chet said, “Let’s just say war is hell. There’s no fun in it at all,” and then he added, “I shouldn’t say that — when you go on furlough it was fun.”

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Fishing for a place to store the loaves

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tascadero Loaves & Fishes, which provides food and other nutritional supplements for the needy in the North County, is looking for a new location with a bigger storage space because the current 2,500 squarefoot office/warehouse space on El Camino Real is grossly inadequate for the food storage needs of the pantry, especially with the growing number of people requiring food assistance.

With the increasing population of poor and homeless people in San Luis Obispo County and the state, food security for the less privileged is becoming a social challenge. This underscores the importance of the food and nourishment program of the Atascadero Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, which was established in April 1985. Last year, 331,121 pounds of food products were served by ALF to its various clients in Atascadero and beyond.

There is no doubt that the ALF has become an important resource for those who are in dire need of food assistance. Each client receives enough food to last three days under a food dispensary system that respects the dignity of the clients. The more members a family has, the more the corresponding quantity of food that is given to the family.

The storage problem is quite critical for the organization because of the perishable nature of some of the produce that it distributes.

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By Kofi Ogbujiagba

Terry Vail, Pantry Manager, said that “we are looking to relocate to a bigger place that is at least 5,000 square feet because the current

quality, hence the need for the collected food to be stored in ways that preserve their freshness and nutritional value.”

"...meeting other volunteers and clients is enjoyable and rewarding! We also know that the services that we provide to our clients are very much appreciated by them." office and storage space which is 2,500 square feet will not be able to accommodate the new freezers and refrigerators that we intend to bring in.”

Various food items require specific storage arrangements. The pantry currently has 15 freezers and refrigerators. It has plans to increase the number of freezers and refrigerators to 19 as soon as there are available spaces for them.

Kathleen Aragon, volunteer coordinator, explained why the new appliances would be very useful to the pantry.

“We have made substantial efforts to increase the quality of food that we serve to our clients by bringing in more high-quality vegetables and fruits as well as other food items that need to be stored under the appropriate food conditions,” she said. “We are making efforts to ensure that the quality of food that our clients receive from us are of the best

While bagging and displaying food items on the tables, Pantry Manager Terry Vail said that the ALF’s focus has changed to the provision of more nutritious foods to its members such as high-quality protein products — lean meats, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables and other produce that will enrich the dietary value of what the people are served.

He said the growing number of people who use the pantry is not unexpected because “even though we are based in the City of Atascadero, Atascadero Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry serves people from the neighboring communities of Templeton, Santa Margarita, Creston and California Valley.”

Apart from the problem of insufficient storage space which the pantry is trying to resolve, it does not have the manpower to accomplish the various tasks that it needs to undertake in order to serve its members.

“We are completely dependent upon volunteers for everything that we do,” Vail said. “We are always looking for people to handle daily tasks, such as bringing food out from the storage and arranging them in an orderly manner on the tables for easy distribution to clients each day. This has to be done before clients arrive. Volunteers are also required for logging in and interviewing clients, to update their information and generally assisting them with their shopping lists.”

Kathleen Aragon strongly believes that volunteering to serve at the ALF is quite rewarding because “our schedules are flexible — and meeting other volunteers and clients is enjoyable and rewarding! We also know that the services that we provide to our clients are very much appreciated by them.”

The importance of volunteers cannot be overemphasized as they help to pick up surplus food from local markets and growers, as well as to break down bulk items and stock the shelves. The food pantry also relies on volunteers to input client data and to prepare and send out the in-house newsletters to various stakeholders in the county. The volunteers at the Atascadero Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry represent different age groups and the pantry is particularly popular with seniors who volunteer in numbers to assist in executing various tasks.

In order to meet the food and other nutritional needs of its clients, the ALF appreciates the support of the public and strives to ensure that it serves its clients with respect.

This aligns totally with its vision, which is to strive for “an end to food insecurity in the areas we serve.

We will work to achieve our vision by operating a food pantry staffed entirely by volunteers and providing groceries, other foodstuffs, clothing and propane vouchers to clients who qualify to receive these services.”

Volunteer orientations are held on the second Saturday of odd months. The next volunteer orientation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., on Saturday, November 9, at ALF, 5411 El Camino Real, Atascadero.

If you or a family member would like to volunteer, contact Atascadero Loaves & Fishes by email at contact@atascaderoloaves.org or by phone at 805-461-1504.

Colony Magazine, November 2019

TRANSITIONAL FOOD AND SHELTER Appeals For More Support

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By Kofi Ogbujiagba

ver the years, and with the increasing numbers of homeless and needy people growing within the state and county, the Transitional Food and Shelter nonprofit in Atascadero has been one frontline organization that has been active in combating the problems of homelessness, malnutrition and medical necessity for the weak and fragile members of the San Luis Obispo County. In order to achieve its goals, TFS needs the support of the public through funding, donations of critical materials and recruitment of volunteers to chaperone the various activities and programs.

So far, the organization has done a fantastic job of assisting the needy through its two core programs — the Medically Fragile Homeless Program and the Atascadero Warming Center Program. The Medically Fragile Homeless Program, according

to Susan Macari, Vice President and Operations Officer, “provides temporary shelter and supportive services, including food, clothing, toiletries, and transportation to and from medical facilities for its numerous members. Under the program, members are counseled by participating healthcare professionals on how to manage their conditions by adopting healthy lifestyles and socializing in a harmonious manner with other members of the community.

The Atascadero Warming Center provides a safe and warm place for the homeless and sick during adverse weather conditions f rom December 1 through March 31, every year, when the temperature is expected to be less than 41 degrees or there is 50 percent chance or greater for rainfall.

Susan Macari said that the TFS is grateful to St. Williams Parish in Atascadero, Dove Creek Church and Atascadero United Methodist Church for housing the

November 2019, Colony Magazine

warming center last season, when 46 people, including four families with children ages four weeks to 14 years of age, were housed under the program. During that season (2018 to 2019), more than 8,000 meals were provided through an-all volunteer effort that was organized by TFS. Jeff Wilshusen, President of Transitional Food and Shelter, said the organization is very grateful for the support and funding that it receives including grants from the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo, City of San Luis Obispo and County of San Luis Obispo. Other donors include Bank of the Sierra, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Community Church of Atascadero.

Wilshusen said that the nonprofit needs more assistance from the community to fund its programs. With the increasing number of homeless people in the county, TFS appreciates all the donations that it can get to support its various programs which are

having a positive effect on the lives of the most vulnerable members of the community.

According to Macari, the mission of the organization, which was established in 1998, is to “provide temporary shelter and supportive services for the homeless and medically fragile of San Luis Obispo County.

This is accomplished through our Medically Fragile Homeless program and the Atascadero Warming Center.”

Send donations for Transitional Food & Shelter to: 7143 El Camino Real #346, Atascadero, CA 93422 Visit nowheretogo. com for more information

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Paderewski Festival RETURNS OCT. 31

Annual concert series to honor centenary of Polish Sovereignty

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By Melissa Chavez

he traditional four-day Paderewski Festival program will open in dramatic fashion this year with a Halloween-themed film music presentation titled “Dracula Rising: Ghosts of Hollywood Past” at Cass Winery on Thursday, October 31.

Ensemble for These Times, a contemporary music chamber group based in San Francisco, will perform music by Mario CastelnuovoTedesco, Bronisław Kaper, Wojciech Kilar, Erich Korngold, Alexander Tansman, and Henry Vars. Each music selection will feature projected visuals and still images from classic films. They include “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” “The Ninth Gate,” “Lili,” “The Man in the Vault,” and “Invitation.”

This concert will be held in the newly constructed Cass Winery Barrel Room, nestled among the rows of vines and shaded by grand oak trees. Audience members are encouraged to arrive dressed in Halloween costumes for this thrilling event. A no-host buffet dinner

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begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a no-host wine reception at 6:30 p.m. that precedes the 7 p.m. concert.

The restored Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles will host USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia led by Rotem Gilbert on Friday, November 1. The period-instrument ensemble will perform “Polish Baroque Treasures” with vocal and instrumental musical pieces from the 14th through 17th centuries that include works by Grzegorz Gerway Gorczycki, Marcin Mielczewski, Wacław of Szamotuły, and Mikołaj Zieleński. A 6:30 p.m. wine reception will precede the 7 p.m. concert.

On Saturday afternoon, November 2, the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition Winners’ Recital will take place in the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom, just west of Paso Robles City Park. The 4 p.m. recital is open to all with free admission.

Also in the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom on November 2 is the Saturday evening Festival Gala, featuring pianist Takeshi Nagayasu.

The young virtuoso is the 2019 First Prize winner of the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Chopin Competition in New York City.

Mr. Nagayasu will present music by Chopin, Paderewski, Szymanowski, and Sciabin,

Colony Magazine, November 2019

Colin Foster

Noelle Hadsall

Isabella Osgood

Suri Kim

Andy Shen

Paderewski Youth Piano Competition

By Melissa Chavez

O

ne of the most impressive and endearing highlights of the festival is the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition, in which serious piano students play their best for judges to rank highest in their age divisions. Held at the Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles in October, the event is a shared experience of both nail-biting competition and camaraderie among the best young performers in the region.

The contest is open to current students from Fresno, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. This year, three competitors in both the senior division (15-18) and the Junior Division (ages 10-14) from San Luis Obispo County were named finalists.

In the Junior Division, Suri Kim, 11, earned First Place. The sixth-grader from Ralph Dunlap Elementary School in Orcutt studies piano with Dr. Lynne Garrett. Second Place went to Andy Shen, 13, of Laguna Middle School in San Luis Obispo. An eighth-grader, Shen studies piano with Prof.

Alan Boehmer. In Third Place was Noelle Hadsall, 10. The fifth-grader from Mountain View School in Santa Barbara is a student of Prof. Pascal Salomon.

with Sciabin’s Sonata No. 5 and Chopin’s Sonata No. 3 among the program’s highlights. Epoch Estate Wines will host a wine reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. concert.

To wrap the festival weekend on Sunday, November 3, Paderewski Festival’s Artistic Director, Marek Żebrowski, will present an intriguing lecture on “Paderewski and World Politics” at York Mountain/Epoch Estate Wines. The lecture will mark

Colin Foster, 11, who is a sixth-grader at Christ Classical School in San Luis Obispo, was named the Paderewski Legacy Awards winner. In the Senior Division, Isabella Osgood, 16, a junior from San Luis Obispo High School, won the Senior Division for her outstanding performance. Both Foster and Osgood are piano students of Prof.

Lynne Garrett.

Among the audition requirements for Junior competitors are two prepared works. Each selection must vary in degree of difficulty, style and period. For Seniors, three works that vary in difficulty, style and period are required. Among them, one of the compositions must be by Ignacy Jan Paderewski, and all repertoire must be performed from memory. Cash prizes are also awarded for their accomplishments, which range from $100 to $750.

The Competition Jury for the Youth Competition are three experts in their fields: Concert pianist and composer Marek Żebrowski is the Director of the Polish Music Center at UCLA and Artistic Director of the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles. Żebrowski also helps to equip students with individualized coaching in preparation for their competitions and concert appearances.

Poland’s Independence Day (November 11), Ignacy Jan Paderewski’s time in office as prime minister of the newly independent Poland in 1919 and provide insight into the centenary of Polish-American diplomatic relations observed throughout this year. This 10 a.m. event is for The Friends of Paderewski and Paderewski Patrons only.

At noon on November 1 at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Gala pianist Takeshi Nagayasu

November 2019, Colony Magazine

India D’Avignon serves as a Professor and Department Chair in Class Piano and General Music at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. She was formerly a professor of piano and chair of the piano and organ department at Capital University. Paul Woodring is a faculty member and staff accompanist at Cal Poly University. He has worked with a multitude of organizations and musicians, including Opera San Luis Obispo, Festival Mozaic, and San Luis Obispo Master Chorale.

Some exciting news is in store for this year’s finalists, as well as Youth Competition finalists in 2020. Both groups are eligible to participate in a Cultural Exchange Program in Poland in 2021. Part of the Paderewski Festival Youth Exchange Program, the itinerary includes piano workshops, master classes and concert performances at Paderewski’s estate in Kąśna Dolna and Jagiellonian University in Kraków. The fully sponsored student exchange program is made possible by the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles and its local partners in Poland.

To learn more about the Youth Piano Competition, Cultural Exchange Program and The Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles, send email to youth@paderewskifest.com, visit paderewskifest.com or call 805-235-1530.

will hold a master class and share his insights on preparing c on c e r t re p e r t o i re a n d performing it with local music students.

To learn more about Ignacy Jan Paderewski influence in Paso Robles and the world, during the festival, everyone can view Paderewski-themed exhibits at Carnegie Library in City Park, Pioneer Museum, and Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce.

Admission prices for the 2019 Paderewski Festival range from free for children under 18 to $40 for premium admission, $20-35 for general admission with discounts for seniors over 60 and wine industry, and $5 for students 18 and over with ID. Friends of Paderewski Festival Passes with preferred seating at all events are $250.

Tickets can be purchased online at paderewskifest.com or by calling 805-235-5409.

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Colony Magazine, November 2019

November 2019, Colony Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 19

We Salute You!

Celebrating Veterans

A

By Nicholas Mattson

ll of us at Colony Magazine salute our local veterans on this anniversary of Armistice Day. All of us Americans enjoy our freedom and during each year we do serve our country with industry and productivity that ensures our future. Those that serve in the armed forces, and veterans of war are our front lines in the fight for a better future, and the preservation of our freedoms and democracy.

Our civilian citizenry works also to support them, with our profitability and industry in financial support of our standing armies to ensure that those veterans are provided with a home and freedom to return to. We take each Veterans Day to stand united in recognition of our mutual effort and purpose in ensuring our opportunity to establish a more perfect union that is always in a state of progress.

Please join us in support of our veterans, our country, our freedom, and our community by attending one of the events below this Veterans Day.

PASO ROBLES DISTRICT CEMETERY

45 Nacimiento Lake Drive, Paso Robles Monday • November 11 • 11 a.m.

Program features an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, welcome, guest speaker, patriotic songs, fly-over, closing prayer, honor guard and Taps. Flags are placed at all identified veteran’s graves by American Legion Post 50

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Day in the North County

and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10965.

If your veteran’s grave is missed, flags are available in the office. Volunteers needed for set up of Avenue of Flags at 7 a.m. and removal by 3:30 p.m. Call 805-238-4544 to volunteer. The Cemetery will provide coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Chapel will provide a complimentary hot dog lunch.

ATASCADERO VETERAN’S MEMORIAL 9029 Morro Rd, Atascadero Monday, November 11 • 11 am

Enjoy National Anthem and patriotic songs by the Fine Arts Academy and Trumpet Alliance, and a flyover by the Estrella Warbirds. Guest Speaker: Bear McGill, Central Coast Honor Flight. Central Coast Quilters will give Quilts of Valor to about 20 local veterans. Taps played by County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong with sons Darin and Derek.

The Central Coast Pipes and Drums will escort the color guard, which is being provided by the Grizzly Academy. Kiwanis Club barbecue to follow.

Parking available in Atascadero Lake parking lot. Handicapped parking near the Memorial.

LILLIAN LARSEN SCHOOL 1601 L Street, San Miguel Friday, November 8 • 8:30 a.m.

The school will honor the active and

retired military at the Don Wolf gymnasium.

Parking spaces will be reserved for honored guests in the front parking lot.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 5 at 805-467-3216. Refreshments will be served.

Local Organizations and Resources for Veterans:

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 2814

VFW was organized in 1899 when men returning from the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) found they had no benefits, rights or services. The VFW mission is to “Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.” The Paso Robles VFW meets on first Wednesdays at the Veterans Center, 240 Scott Street, Paso Robles. Call 805-239-7370.

HONOR FLIGHT CENTRAL COAST

Honor Flight’s Mission is to honor America’s veterans by taking them to Washington D.C. on their “Tour of Honor” to visit and reflect at their memorials which have been built to honor their service.

Local veterans can apply for the tour online at honorflightccc.org, email info@ honorflightccc.org, or call 805-610-4012.

Colony Magazine, November 2019

Reliable Power.

Performance you can trust!

Atascadero Chamber of Commerce 2018 Business of the Year

805-466-2218 • 5025 El Camino Real • www.glennsrepair.com

November 2019, Colony Magazine

colonymagazine.com | 21

North San Luis Obispo County

HAPPENINGS NOV. 11

Atascadero

VETERAN'S DAY Ceremony

H

onor those who served their country past and present at the Veterans Day Ceremony and BBQ at the Atascadero Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial.

The Veterans Memorial Foundation hosts the ceremony, that is followed by music and a BBQ hosted by the Kiwanis.

DATE: Monday, Nov. 11 TIME: 11 a.m.

PLACE: Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial, 8024 Portola Rd., Atascadero COST: Free MORE INFO: visit facesoffreedommemorial.org

NOV.

2

Paderewski Festival Gala Concert DATE: Saturday, Nov. 2 TIME: Wine reception, 6:30. Concert, 7 p.m.

PLACE: Paso Robles Inn Ballroom,

1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles.

COST: Free to $500.

MORE INFO: paderewskifest. com or call 805-235-5409. Tickets at eventbrite.com

NOV.

NOV.

3

DATE: Sunday, Nov. 3 TIME: 1 to 4 p.m.

PLACE: Avila Beach Golf Resort

6464 Ana Bay Rd., Avila Beach COST: $50 to $90 MORE INFO: Tickets at eventbrite.com. Benefits animal rescue and programs at Pacific Wildlife Care.

NOV.

16

Templeton Holiday Craft Boutique Holiday themed craft boutique (show and sale) of handmade items from knitted and crocheted items, jewelry, soaps and lotions, soy candles, sewn Iiems, beads, welded figures and much more.

DATE: Saturday, Nov. 2 TIME: From 9 a.m to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

PLACE:

Templeton American Legion Hall COST: Free entry MORE INFO: email templetonholidaycraftboutique@gmail. com

NOV.

6 8-9

Soupabration!

NOV.

NOV. 2-3

16

Women's Club Guest Speaker Meeting

Cuesta Vocal Jazz Festival

DATE: Wesdnesday, Nov. 6 TIME: 11:30 a.m .to 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Templeton Women's Charita-

DATE: Nov. 8 and 9 TIME: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

PLACE: Cuesta Cultural and Per-

ble Club, 601 S. Main St., Templeton COST: Free MORE INFO: Speaker is Jessica Main, CEO of Templeton Chamber of Commerce. templetonwomensclub.org.

forming Arts Center COST: $15 to $20 MORE INFO: cuesta.edu

NOV.

NOV.

28

29

Taco Day on Traffic Way

Holiday Boutique

Thanksgiving for Paso Robles

Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony

DATE: Saturday, Nov. 16 TIME: 1 to 4 p.m.

PLACE: Traffic Way Downtown

DATE: Saturday, Nov. 16 TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PLACE: Pavilion on the Lake

DATE: Thursday, Nov. 28 TIME: 12-2 p.m.

PLACE: Centennial Park Activity

DATE: Friday, Nov. 29 TIME: 5:30 p.m. community gathers;

Atascadero

COST: Tacos available for purchase at various prices

MORE INFO: visit visitatascade-

ro.com

22 | colonymagazine.com

9135 Pismo Ave., Atascadero COST: Free MORE INFO: Call 905-470-3178

Center, 600 Nickerson Dr. COST: Free MORE INFO: Call 805-239-4137 or visit thanksgivingforpasorobles.com

6 p.m. Mrs. Claus lights downtown

PLACE: Paso Robles Downtown

City Park Gazebo COST: Free

MORE INFO: Call 805-238-4103 or visit pasoroblesdowntown.org

Colony Magazine, November 2019

COMMUNITY CLUBS & MEETINGS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS North County Newcomers

General Membership Meeting and Luncheon: Wednesday, April 3 The Groves on the 41, 4455 Hwy 41 East, Paso Robles from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $30; must RSVP by 3-24. Visit northcountynewcomers. org

Active Senior Club of Templeton

nity Church, 2706 Spring St., Paso Robles, Public is welcome, no charge, guests welcome. Call 805-712-7820 or visit multifloragardenclub.org

Exchange Club

Second Tuesday, 12:15-1:30 p.m. at McPhee’s, 416 S. Main St., Templeton. 805-610-8096, exchangeclubofnorthslocounty.org

First Friday, 10:30 a.m., Templeton Community Center, 601 S. Main St. Meetings include a presentation on relevant local issues, often followed by a luncheon. Membership is $5 per year. Contact Templeton Recreation Department with questions. 805-434-4909

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 465

Coffee with a CHP

Monthly Dinner Estrella Warbirds Museum

Second Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Nature’s Touch Nursery & Harvest, 225 Main St., Templeton.

North County Multiflora Garden Club

Second Wednesday, 12 to 3 p.m. at PR Commu-

Second Wednesday, 7 p.m. at Paso Airport Terminal, 4900 Wing Way. Getting youth involved with aviation, EAA465.org

6 p.m. at Templeton American Legion Hall, 805 Main St. Meetings include wine and beer tasting, speaker or program and potluck. winesandsteins. org, 805-235-2048

Central Coast Violet Society

Second Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Creston Village Activity Room, 1919 Creston Road, Paso Robles. Email Znailady1@aol.com with any questions.

Atascadero Republican Women Federated

4th Tuesday at 11 at Atascadero SpringHill Suites Marriott atascaderorepublicanwomenfederated.com.

First Wednesday, 6 p.m., guest speakers. 805296-1935 for dinner reservations, ewarbirds.org

Daughters of the American Revolution

North County Wines and Steins

First Sunday. For time and place, email elpasoderobles.californiadar.org

First Friday of the month (Jan-May; Aug-Nov),

CLUBS & MEETUPS American Legion Post 220

805 Main Street, Templeton • 805-610-2708 Post Meeting — second and fourth Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Elks Lodge

Atascadero Lodge 2733 • 1516 El Camino Real • 805-466-3557 Lodge Meeting — second and fourth Thursdays

Loyal Order of Moose

Atascadero #2067 • 8507 El Camino Real • 805-466-5121 Meeting — first and third Thursday, 6 p.m.

November 2019, Colony Magazine

Bingo — first Sunday, 12-2 p.m.

Queen of Hearts — every Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Pool League — every Wednesday

Kiwanis International

Atascadero — 7848 Pismo Ave. • 805-610-7229 Key Club — every Wednesday, 11:55 a.m.

Kiwanis Club — every Thursday, 7 a.m.

Lions Club

Atascadero Club #2385 • 5035 Palma Ave. Meeting — second & fourth Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Santa Margarita Club 2418 • 9610 Murphy St. Meeting — second and fourth Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Templeton Club 2427 • 601 Main St. • 805-

434-1071 Meeting — first and third Thursday, 7 p.m.

Optimist Club

Atascadero — dinner meetings second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Outlaws Bar & Grill, 9850 E. Front Rd. or call 805-712-5090

Rotary International

Atascadero — 9315 Pismo Ave. Meeting — every Wednesday, 12 p.m. at Atascadero Lake Pavilion Templeton — 416 Main St. Meeting — first & third Tuesday, 7 a.m. at McPhee’s Grill

colonymagazine.com | 23

| Taste of Americana

Thanksgiving

AT THE WHITE HOUSE PUMPKIN PIE

Barbie Butz

W

hen you think about it, what could be more Americana, as far as food is concerned, than Thanksgiving? After all, the pilgrims and the Native Americans had the first celebration of harvest together with family and friends. And it seems that tradition has lasted, even though today we may shop in a supermarket for our “harvest” foods.

It was Abraham Lincoln who proclaimed a day of “thanksgiving and praise” in 1863.

Thanksgiving is observed as a federal holiday today.

I have a cookbook that is a reproduction of the original “White House Cookbook” copyrighted in 1887 by P.L. Gillette. The reproduction was published by Ottenheimer Publishers, Inc. As I looked through it for Thanksgiving dinner recipes, I came across instructions for Roast Turkey. Now, for some of you this will surely bring a smile and a big “thank you” that you live in this modern era of fresh or frozen turkeys from the supermarket!

I think the instructions bear reading so that you can appreciate even more the times in which we live. Enjoy!

ROAST TURKEY

“Select a young turkey; remove all the feathers carefully, singe it over a burning newspaper on the top of the stove; then “draw” it nicely, being very careful not to break any of the internal organs; remove the crop carefully; cut off the head, and tie the neck close to the body by drawing the skin over it. Now rinse the inside of the turkey out with several glasses of water, and in the next to the last, mix a teaspoon of baking soda;

24 | colonymagazine.com

oftentimes the inside of a fowl is very sour, especially if it is not freshly killed. Soda, being cleansing, acts as a corrective, and destroys that unpleasant taste which we frequently experience in the dressing when fowls have been killed for some time. Now, after washing, wipe the turkey dry, inside and out, with a clean cloth, rub the inside with some salt, then stuff the breast and body with dressing. Then sew up the turkey with a strong thread, tie the legs and wings to the body, rub it over with a little soft butter, sprinkle over some salt and pepper, dredge with a little flour; place it in a dripping pan, pour in a cup of boiling water, and set it in the oven.

Baste the turkey often, turning it around occasionally so that every part will uniformly bake. When pierced with a fork and the liquid runs out clear, the bird is done. If any part is likely to scorch, pin over it a piece of buttered white paper. A 15-pound turkey requires between three and four hours to bake. Serve with cranberry sauce.”

The following Pumpkin Pie recipe did not use “Libby’s” in a can! Read on:

BAKED PUMPKIN OR SQUASH FOR PIES

For three pies: One quart of milk, three cupfuls of boiled and strained pumpkin, one and one-half cupfuls of sugar, one-half cupful of molasses, the yolks and whites of four eggs beaten separately, a little salt, one tablespoonful each of ginger and cinnamon.

Beat all together and bake with an under the crust.

Now, in case you need a menu for your Thanksgiving meal, here’s what the White House chef offered the President, his family and his guests:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Oysters on the Half Shell Cream of Chicken Soup Fried Smelts with Sauce Tartare Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes Baked Squash Boiled Onions Parsnip Fritters Olives Chicken Salad Venison Pastry Pumpkin Pie Mince Pie Charlotte Russe Almond ice Cream Lemon Jelly Hickory Nut Cake Cheese Fruits Coffee

Can you imagine preparing all of that food?! I hope you will enjoy your own Thanksgiving meal with a shorter menu.

Have a lovely day with your family and friends. Cheers!

Cut up into several pieces, do not pare it; place them on baking tins and set them in the oven; bake slowly until soft, then take them out, scrape all the pumpkin from the shell, rub it through a colander. It will be fine and light and free from lumps.

Colony Magazine, November 2019

News News

O. 38

The Atascadero News

Hometown New Since 1916

Have you seen the new Atascadero News?

CALIFORNIA

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

Bringing you Good News, RealCOL News, Your Hometown News, since 1916.

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laska Independent. Locally owned. Responsible. rlines ds New O Flights COLONY CATS Hometown News Since 1916

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CALIFORNIA

VOL.CIII, NO. XL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019

VOL.103, NO. 39

Give police ability to enforce ordinance

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

any to Offer ect Flights San Diego, Portland

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City Council Amends Time Limit Parking Law

Two cats named Rain, pictured at left, and Sunny, pictured below, are among the many cats cared for by local volunteers at official “cat colonies” along Atascadero Creek. The volunteers keep the cats fed and also trap them and have them spayed or neutered before releasing them back into the wild.

ATASCADERO — Atascadero Police Chief Jerel Haley presented a parking violation law enforcement issue during the Oct. 8 City Council Meeting. Haley asked the Council to reevaluate the wording of the ordinance to help clarify parking violation enforcement practices.

“One of the violations we are commonly called on to enforce has to do with time limit parking in our downtown shopping areas specifically,” Haley said.

Interpreting the law is not a cut and dry practice, but is filled with nuances and subtleties. The two schools of thought when it comes to interpretation are the Spirit of the Law; what the writers were trying to ac-

Council Directs Staff to Look Into Feline Overpopulation

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

NC Cities Renew Deal with Tourism Promoter

ATASCADERO — City of Atascadero staff presented a report to the Council on how best to address the city’s feline overpopulation dilemma. The staff report listed several options to help councilmembers decide how best to shape the policy concerning the overabundance of cats within the town’s limits.

At the top of the list was the option to repeal the mandatory pickup ordinance. When animal control receives complaints about a cat, they are required to pick up the stray mouser. The practice currently costs the City $350 per animal to catch and shelter. Staff said that the amount is expected to double if and when the new animal shelter is completed. However, repealing the mandatory pickup requirements does not address the issue of controlling the number of cats.

Atascadero is home to several official “cat colonies” that are fed and maintained by residents. These free-range feline colonies are maintained by cat-loving volunteers who feed and look after the well-being of the clowder. Many of them practice TRN (trap neuter and return) to combat overpopulation which invites disease and starvation. On average, a healthy queen (unaltered female cat) can generate up to 10 new mouths to feed a year. Generally, fixed feral cats have their ears clipped so they are not recaught which wastes time, money and resources.

A large portion of the problem seems to stem from people who do not use responsible feeding practices, such as day-time feeding and restricted amounts of food, and not spaying or neutering the free-roam-

CALIFORNIA

VOL.CIII, NO.NO. XL XXXIX VOL.CXXXV,

WEDNESDAY, 2019 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER OCTOBER 16, 9, 2019

COLONY

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

MARK DIAZ Great AGventure Provides Hands-on Learning for Students tascaderonews.com CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

NORTH COUNTY — The cities of Atascadero and Paso Robles both continued their contracts with the local public relations nonprofit Visit SLO CAL. The advertising firm promotes tourism to the Central Coast utilizing Transient Occupancy Tax funds collected by the cities.

In 2015, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved the nonprofit’s Touring Marketing District in a 5-year-plan to collect one percent of all short-term stays in the County. The assessment was added to each city’s Transient Occupancy Tax. The current contract expires in June of 2020. Visit SLO CAL has been making its rounds to individual cities to promote a new plan that extends the agreement for an additional 10 years and raises the assessment to another five percent. In total the increase would bring the TMD budget to $60 million.

The company has been instrumental in bringing tourism

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Peschong Talks Pot at TAAG Meeting

California-Ba Company No Boasts Ove 140 Branch

‘Dab-It-On’

by Smartwater CSI distributed to local farmers for free

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

TEMPLETON — District 1 Supervisor John Peschong addressed concerned citizens at the Templeton Area Advisory Group on Sept. 19.

Speaking to a crowded room about his role in creating and enforcing the San Luis Obispo County’s cannabis ordinances, the supervisor stressed his position of defending property rights.

“For me, it’s a property rights question,” Peschong said. “Everybody has the rights on their property but your property rights end at your property line and somebody else’s property rights start.”

Peschong told the crowd that light, smell and sound nuisances are driving the neighbor-to-neighbor conflict in the community, also noting there is an overall concern for water use.

Cannabis and hemp plants use almost two times the amount of water as grapevines, according to the academic paper, “High Time for Conservation: Adding the Environment to the Debate on Marijuana Liberalization.”

“In the California north coast region, an estimated 22 liters of water or more per plant per day are applied during the June–October outdoor growing season,” the paper reads.

In recent years, almond growers have come under scrutiny for their water use. However, according to an analysis

by Swami Chaitanya, a member of the Mendocino Cannabis Policy Council, it takes 1.875 gallons of water to produce an eighth of an ounce of marijuana compared to a gallon for an almond.

Pressing the point of property rights, Peschong said that if a county code enforcer can verify that nuisances such as smell are not being mitigated by the operation, he had no problem with pulling its permit. When applying for a Conditional Use Permit, growers must produce plans on how they propose to keep their operation from becoming a nuisance to their neighbors. Peschong said that if its provable that their plans do not work, their permits will be revoked.

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

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City Council Amends Time Limit Parking Law Give police ability to enforce ordinance

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

Two cats named Rain, pictured at left, and Sunny, pictured below, are among the many cats cared for by local volunteers at official “cat colonies” along Atascadero Creek. The volunteers keep the cats fed and also trap them and have them spayed or neutered before releasing them back into the wild.

ATASCADERO — Atascadero Police Chief Jerel Haley presented a parking violation law enforcement issue during the Oct. 8 City Council Meeting. Haley asked the Council to reevaluate the wording of the ordinance to help clarify parking violation enforcement practices.

“One of the violations we are commonly called on to enforce has to do with time limit parking in our downtown shopping areas specifically,” Haley 2019 Colony Days Parade Grand Marshal Flora Adams, right, waves from a Cadillac convertable owned and driven by Kent Kenny during the parade said. Saturday.

Riding in the back seat are Colony Days Queen and King Bonne and Jack Scott. Photos by Luke Phillips Interpreting the law is not a cut and dry practice, but is filled with nuances and subtleties. The two schools of thought when it comes to interpretation are the Spirit of the Law; what PARADE WINNERS

By MARK DIAZ the writers were trying to acmark@atascaderonews.com CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

By MARK DIAZ AT A GLANCE mark@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — White tents covered the historic Atascadero SunkSWEEPSTAKES AWARD ATASCADERO — City of Atascadero staff presented a report to en Gardens in aon Tent the Council howCity best toreenactaddress the city’s feline overpopulation diAtascadero Elks Lodge 2733 ment.lemma.

The encampment the options to help councilmembers The staff reportrelives listed several time decide period how frombest 1914 to 1916, the concerning the overabundance of to shape the policy JUDGES AWARD beginning years the of Atascadero cats within town’s limits.ColoFriends of the Atascadero Library ny, whenAt pioneering and women the top ofmen the list was the option to repeal the mandatory pickDancing with Our Stars left their homes andWhen came west to control start receives complaints about a cat, up ordinance. animal life anew.

Locals dressed inupperiod they are required to pick the stray mouser. The practice currently BEST THEME costumes, homemade, to show costs some the City $350 per animal to catch and shelter. Staff said that the Escuela del Rio the present thetoway things amountresidents is expected double if and when the new animal shelter is Councils vote to stick were when Atascadero wasrepealing little more completed.

However, the mandatory pickup requirements COMMERCIAL FLOAT with Visit SLO CAL than adoes hope. not address the issue of controlling the number of cats.

1st place: Hispanic Business One of the costumed Atascadero is homeparticipants to several official “cat colonies” that are fed and Association was freshman Gillham.

EmiBy MARK DIAZ maintainedEmily by residents.

These free-range feline colonies are main2nd place: Peterson U-Cart LLC ly carried accordion mark@atascaderonews.com tainedan

by Italian-made cat-loving volunteers who feed and look after the well-being ABOVE: Dave Grummitt, right, accepts as part of her costume. request, of the clowder.

ManyOn of them practice TRN (trap neuter and return) the Colony Days Parade Sweepstakes NON-COMMERCIAL she would play overpopulation such songs as which “Yan- invites disease and starvation. On NORTH COUNTY — to combat award from Glenda Highland CIVIC GROUP OR FLOAT kee Doodle young lady female cat) can generate up to The cities of Atascadero and average,Dandy.” a healthyThe queen (unaltered on behalf of the Atascadero 1st place: Atascader said her piano teacher Megan GrePaso Leadership Robles both continued 10 new mouths to feed a year.

Generally, fixed feral cats have their Elks Lodge #2733.

Group - “Homecoming - Dancing enway,ears inspired to learn to recaught play their contracts with the local clippedher so they are not which wastes time, money and LEFT: The Elks’ award-winning float through the decades” the instrument. public relations nonprofit Visresources. rolls down West Mall during the CONTINUED ON PAGE A13 it SLO CAL. The advertising A large portion of the problem seems to stem from people who do parade Saturday.

CONTINUED firm ON PAGE A11 tourism to the promotes not use responsible feeding practices, such as day-time feeding and reCentral Coast utilizing Transtricted amounts of food, and not spaying or neutering the free-roamCONTINUED ON PAGE A11 sient Occupancy Tax funds collected by the cities.

In 2015, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved the nonprofit’s Touring Marketing District you got a haircut and you could almost

By MARK DIAZ in a 5-year-plan to collect one drive the entire length of the city without mark@atascaderonews.com percent of all short-term stays having to stop. in the County. The assessment Scott said he first learned of the prosATASCADERO — Atascadero Kiwas added to each city’s TranCreston wanis celebrated its 50th year of serving pect of the club in the Atascadero News sient Occupancy Tax. The curElementary the community. Member Jack Scott spoke in November of 1968. He decided to rent contract expires in June of students pull a on the changing times and the count- meet with the group who was trying to 2020. Visit SLO CAL has been weighted sled less hours the By group has WILLIAMS donated for the gather enough men to start a Kiwanis BRIAN making its rounds to individuto determine bettermentbrian@atascaderonews.com of the city. The local chapter chapter. In January of 1969, he became al cities to promote a new plan how much represents the international organization the eighth man to join the group. It was that extends the agreement for horsepower they whose mission is to empower communinot until May of that same year that they PASO ROBLES — Class was in session an additional 10 years and raises are producing ties to improve the world by making lastgathered enough gentlemen to found the once again at the Great AGventure. Nearly 1,000 the assessment to another five during the Great ing differences from in the19 lives of children. chapter. Scott said they originally met at fourth-graders different San Luis Obispo percent. In total the increase AGventure on The year was 1969, the rauRosie’s County schools movedScott fromtold station to station at Cafe now where David’s Cafe is would bring the TMD budget Oct. 9 at the cousPaso Kiwanis group, he Wednesday first joined morning, located at the south end of town. to $60 million. the Robles Eventwhen Center Paso Robles several were kicking around the The group has gone through many The company has been inOct. 9, men for awho one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning exEvent Center. idea of starting a local chapter.

Scott said changes and gathered in several different perience. strumental in bringing by Members of the Atascadero Kiwanis Club marchPhoto in the Colony Days Parade Saturday, carryingtourism signs it was a time CONTINUED when “getting buzz”A11 meant CONTINUED ON PAGE A13 Brian Williams ONa PAGE CONTINUED ON PAGE A11 to commemorate the club’s 50th Anniversary. Photo by Luke Phillips

SAN LUIS OBISPO — On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff ’s Department introduced a new theft deterrent device on the Central Coast. A traceable liquid called Dab-It-On assists law enforcement in identifying stolen property and returning it to its rightful owner and will work as a solid deterrent from future thefts.

Developed by Smartwater CSI, the innocuous fluid, invisible to the naked eye, boasts of being the first such tracking liquid to hold a “BSI 820:2012 Grade A External specification,” meaning it is guaranteed to not wear off for five years on non-biological items. The liquid can be applied to watches, phones, computers, tractors, generators, etc.

There is also a less-lasting grease that can be applied to items such as cash or bait objects used to track criminal activity or lure thieves to a seemingly perfect crime. The grease, also invisible, will spread to clothes, cares and skins making a transparent mess until shined an Ultra Violet light.

Each vial of Smartwater contains a chemical marker unique to itself, in turn, bottles with serial numbers are registered to owners.

After recovering suspected stolen items, law enforcement personnel can quickly scan the property with a special UV light designed to specifically illuminate Dab-It-On with a yellow glow.

“You can’t find these lights at the hardware store,” explained Undersheriff Jim Voge, “they’re worth about $1,000 each.”

After locating a Dab-It-On marking, law enforcement sends a sample to the Florida-based company for identification. Generally, the tracer can be matched with its CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

Local youngsters joined protesting high school students for a “climate strike” at Sunken Gardens Friday.

The group was one of many across the nation that participated in the protest. Photos by Luke Phillips

EARTH WARRIORS

Students, locals participate in ‘climate strike’

By BRIAN WILLIAMS brian@atascaderonews.com

NORTH COUNTY — A couple of hundred students from across the North County skipped classes on Friday and gathered in downtown Paso Robles and Atascadero, joining the worldwide strike to put the spotlight on climate change.

The high school and college-age students were joined by people of all walks of life from 9 a.m. to noon at Downtown City Park in Paso Robles and from 1 to 3 p.m. at Sunken Gardens in Atascadero, both locations are within earshot of their respective city halls.

Organizers estimated the global turnout to be around four million in thousands of cities and towns worldwide.

It was the first time that children and young people had demonstrated to demand climate action in so many places and such numbers around the world.

Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist is credited for igniting

“

...the adults and the government are not doing enough so we as student activists feel compelled to take our own action.

- Cheyenne Holliday

”

By MARK DIAZ mark@colonymedia

Local high school students gather on the steps of Atascadero City Hall during the nationwide climate strike Friday. the youth protests. She met with too much to ask?”

In Paso Robles, 17-year-old Paso members of Congress on Wednesday.

“Right now we are the ones who are Robles High School senior Ysabel making a difference,” Thurnberg told Wulfing organized a peaceful protest demonstrators in New York City. “If no through the Activists’ Coalition for one else will take action, then we will. Tomorrow (ACT) club.

We demand a safe future. Is that really CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

ATASCADERO — were raised las tions — LUIS OBISPO when signage for Ra nth Alaska Airlines Atascadero Annual Colony Days were replaced with Me Council Directs Celebrates Staff to Look Into46th Feline Overpopulation d plans to bring Bank. The acquisition flights from San A True Community Bank nounced back in Mar NC Cities New Issue ispo Regional AirIs Now Renew Deal and since then Raboba Available! wo major West Coast with Tourism tomers received notifi Promoter onal hubs. of the coming changes ning Jan. 7, 2020, Based in Walnut gins flying nonstop to The Atascadero News Mechanics boasts of 1 SPORTS go International AirHounds second in Silver Division at AG Fall Classic old full-service co AN) and just in time ROYALTY CROWNED AT COLONY TEA ty with over 40 b mer, the airline plans throughout Californ osting nonstop flights Kiwanis Mark Half a Century of Helping the Community more than $6 billion nd International AirGreat AGventure Provides Hands-on Learning for Students rton Pembe The much larger n Patrick by Photo Hall. is Kiwan Free event was held at DX) on June 18, 2020.

Colony Days n Bonne and Jack Scott pose for a photo at Paso Robles Event Center 2019 Colony Days King and Quee chartered Rabobank Celebration offers HALLOWEEN ation destin w Set For This WRA Players Join was comprised of 100 Weekend Central Coast thusiasts from SouthPro Tennis Open es and over $13 billio c Pacifi the and fornia sets. The purchase est easier connectivity Rabobank’s business ing -grow fastest ornia’s SPOOK-TACULAR INSIDE WEATHER INSIDE SPORTS WEEK IN PHOTOS ENTERTAINMENT ERTON commercial real esta PEMB CK PATRI By d recreation region. the in ey Russo’s haunted house bigger and better than ever mon the News had gage, and wealth man er dero nev Atasca the We For SBP 2017, of er ovemb Cal Poly Set for Big Sky Conference Opener businesses. On the S t, oned airport services to early days to hire an architec first laid eyes of the agreement, R Bonne hen the then, Since y. facilit e . colleg two A True Community Bank barn the a Call Today to announced that it d Jack, on buil to e to hire someon ed facility has acquired Get into our were holding pitchts transfer the food and studen outand ing incom nal Holiday Spirit! s. elve ours it did just we So e. manur ture loan portfolio cow ing The 2019 Special Holiday Section & shovel forks, flights. Kevin Bumen, 805-466-2585 Holiday ord Shopping Tree specials are coming Scott the Heref Jack to ed California retail ban assign was Jack dit airpor o uis Obisp Full got Service the short horns. eration, Rabobank, Bonne steers; A True Community Bank Oil Change $ off ttributed part of the & Lube isn’t it?” Bonne tic, Rabo AgriFinance. roman y There “Reall Ohio. in s A11 winter PAGE Erie ON Lake cold TINUED farther than that.”

“Rabobank is c d, orhoo asked with a laugh. they lived in a quaint neighb But here they are — 60 years after supporting lead to And yet despite that (ahem) romanalso were ors neighb where they were bonded by beef. ag producers a and tic setting, it wasn’t quite love at first watchful relatives.

Bonne (pronounced “Bonnie”) and . In North Am world ng anythi sight. with away get ’t couldn “You Jack Scott, this year’s Colony Queen rapid grow seen have you,” Bonne had no plans to date. on because someone would tell and King, have spent decades close to banking bus rural And Jack seemed aloof. said.

Bonne each other. But they started out by combining our “Jack had a little white dog,” Bonne But those cold Ohio winters took a apart. miles 4,500 asked I and ls, nia F&A portfolio remembers. “I love anima sister. little ’s Bonne toll on Jack grew up in tropical HaWhile said he and dog the AgriFinance, we w pet could I if A11 him CONTI NUED ON PAGE waii, Bonne and her family braved the sitioned to continu no. It’s amazing our relationship went stantial investment America,” said Pau ing Something CEO of Raboba Worth Writing, America. iting Something John DeCero, ss busine ng detaili auto first ngWashi from ted she gradua President and ly IPS PHILL than LUKE more By For ding dero.

Rea Atasca th in Wor ton High School in 1947 she anics Bank, .us Mech media colony for d luke@ 10 years Flora worke went to work cleaning houses formerly cco, Borre Start Head dero Atasca the with her mother. She met and NICHOLAS MATTSON Rabobank, N.A., se r’s Colony Days Free event was held at Paso Robles Event Center

Creston Elementary students pull a weighted sled to determine how much horsepower they are producing during the Great AGventure on Oct. 9 at the Paso Robles Event Center.

By BRIAN WILLIAMS brian@atascaderonews.com

PASO ROBLES — Class was in session once again at the Great AGventure. Nearly 1,000 fourth-graders from 19 different San Luis Obispo County schools moved from station to station at the Paso Robles Event Center Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, for a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience.

Photo by Brian Williams

CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

INSIDE

SPORTS

WEEK IN PHOTOS

ENTERTAINMENT

HOMECOMING WEEK: THS students celebrate school spirit | A4

SENIOR NIGHT: Paso finishes season with three straight road games | B1

PIONEER DAY: Scenes from the 89th annual parade and festivities | A5

JASON MRAZ: A night of positivity and love at Vina Robles | B4

CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

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CONTACT CONNOR ALLEN AT CONNOR@ATASCADERONEWS.COM

Section B

Evelyn Rinkenberger and Madi Howell named to all-tournament team

BY CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero girls water polo team headed to the Arroyo Grande Fall Classic over the weekend after a heartbreaking loss to the Bearcats on Wednesday night and went 4-1, taking second place in the Silver Division of the tournament. The Atascadero girls are just finishing up a brutal stretch of games where they played eight games in eight days starting with the game against Paso Robles and ending with a game against Righetti, however, through seven games, the girls are 5-2 and now 11-5 on the year.

The Hounds started off the week with almost their best come-from-behind effort against the Bearcats in recent memory. The Greyhound girls lost to the Bearcats 10-3 back on Aug. 30 in the Clovis Tournament

but found themselves knotted at 8 with less than a minute left on Tuesday. The Bearcats entered the third quarter with a 7-4 lead but came storming back to tie the game at 7 with 2 minutes and 23 seconds to go.

The two rivals were tied at 8 with :45 left but Paso Robles’ captain Tatianna Smeltzer buried one in the back of the cage for the Paso 9-8 victory.

On Thursday, the girls were back in the pool as one of the 16 teams in the Silver Division and cranked their defense up another notch, smothering opposing teams and only allowing 22 goals over the five-game stretch.

“Basically it is a whole team effort,” Atascadero girls head water polo coach Rob Rucker said following the tournament.

“Whenever the ball comes into set who’s ever in position to crash crashes. Makayla Power got a lot of recognition from the refs because she is just always where she needs to be all the time. Emma Kim does a good job she gets a lot of steals Mary Dempsy gets her hands in the way, I mean I could mention the whole team, everybody on the

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019

Atascadero senior Evelyn Rinkenberger winds up to take a shot in a game against San Luis Obispo on Monday. Photo by Connor Allen

STAFF REPORT

TEMPLETON — The player entry list heading into this week’s Central Coast Pro Tennis Open is jam-packed with recognizable current Word Tennis Association players and some you will no doubt be hearing about in the years to come.

The 2018 U.S. Open doubles champion and former U.S. Open Junior Girls’ winner CoCo Vandeweghe COCO VANDEWEGHE has received a USTA wild card into the third annual Central Coast Pro Tennis Open, a USTA Pro Circuit Women’s $60,000 event taking place Sept. 23-29 at the Templeton Tennis Ranch.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B12

Atascadero sophomore Megan Van Allen rises up to hit a shot in the Hounds 3-1 loss to the Templeton Eagles on Thursday night. Photos by Connor Allen

Eagles Get First Mountain League Win Over Hounds

BY CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com

W

Templeton senior Sakshee Ranat jumps into the air celebrating a point with her teammates in the Eagles win at home on Thursday.

TEMPLETON — Atascadero High School hosted a valley-versus-coast volleyball tournament over the weekend where they invited Exeter, Centennial, Frontier and Bakersfield out of the heat to play against our North County high schools. It was a tough Saturday for all three North County schools as the valley teams steamrolled through the competition with the Bearcats being the only team that was able to take a single game.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B12

SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL

Atascadero 12, Washington 2 Paso Robles 6, Clovis North 8

Paso Robles 20, St. Joseph 6

Paso Robles 3, Morro Bay 0

Redwood 51, Atascadero 6

Paso Robles 7, Granite Bay 6

Mt. Whitney 10, Paso Robles 8

Templeton 0, Arroyo Grande 3

Pioneer Valley 21, Paso Robles 35 Templeton 20, Liberty 23

GIRLS WATER POLO Sept. 16

Paso Robles 12, Hanford 4 Sept. 17

Atascadero 8, Paso Robles 9 Sept. 19

Atascadero 7, Morro Bay 4

Sept. 20

Atascadero 4, Foothill 8

Sept. 20

Atascadero 0, San Luis Obispo 3

SLO @ Paso Robles

Templeton @ Mission Prep

Paso Robles 2, Bullard 0

Paso Robles 2, Yosemite 0

Atascadero 7, Selma 6

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Sept. 17

Atascadero 1, Templeton 3 Righetti 0, Paso Robles 3 Sept. 19

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Sept. 26

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Paso Robles 1, El Diamante 2

Paso Robles 15, Sunnyside 3

Atascadero 7, Willow Glen 5

CONTINUED ON PAGE B12

SCHEDULE

Sept. 21

Paso Robles 19, Mission Oak 3

Paso Robles 8, Sanger 2

Paso Robles 8, Las Lomas 10

STAFF REPORT

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly (1-2, 0-0 Big Sky), which ended the 2018 season with a 14-point win over Southern Utah, the Mustangs’ 15th consecutive victory at home against the Thunderbirds, wraps up a three-game road trip and opens Big Sky Conference play Saturday night by visiting Southern Utah (1-3, 0-0 Big Sky) at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah.

Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1280 AM and 101.7 FM with

Atascadero 2, El Diamante 8

Paso Robles 12, Porterville 4 Sept. 21

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Fourth annual cornhole showdown comes to Sunken Gardens

By MARK DIAZ For the past four years, the KOC and Kiwanis mark@atascaderonews.com pick a recipient to split half the proceeds of the tournament. This year, the Atascadero Greybots Knights of Columbus and local Kiwanis Club took home the donation. The local robotics team hosted the fourth annual Showdown Cornhole holds the prestigious title of winner of the 2019 Tournament last week. Over 60 teams tossed FIRST Robotics Competition held in Houston “corn” filled bags across Sunken Gardens under a making them three times world champions. perfect blue sky. Contestants lobbed Aces, Cowpies and low down dirty Shuckers in hopes to seSEE PAGE A11 cure the $2,000 grand prize.

FOR A FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Photo courtesy of City of Atascadero

INSIDE

SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

WEEK IN PHOTOS

MUSEUM DAY celebrated at Atascadero Printery Building | A2

HOUNDS SECOND IN SILVER DIVISION: at AG fall classic | B1

DANCING WITH OUR STARS: 2020 community star dancers | B5

GET A GLIMPSE of events from the past week in the North County | A5

WIENER DOG RACES HOMECOMING WEEK: See students results from the ColoTHS celebrate ny Days Competiton | A10 school spirit | A4

Sept. 27

Santa Ynez @ Templeton Royal @ Atascadero

GIRLS WATER POLO Oct. 1

Paso Robles @ Clovis East

EVELYN RINKENBERGER SEE PAGE B2

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COLONY DAYS: 46th PIONEER DAY: Scenes annual marches from theparade 89th annual down Eland Camino Real || A5 parade festivities A5

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CALIFORNIA

VOL.CIII, NO. XXIX

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019

atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY

COLONY DAYS

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — On Sunday, Sept. 29, the Atascadero Chapter of Quota Club International hosted its 45th Colony Days Reception, known to locals as the Colony Days Tea. Taking place at the Atascadero Bible Church, the function marks the beginning of the city’s week-long celebration of its origins. Quota International is a nonprofit organization empowering women, children, the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and people with speech difficulties in local communities around the world.

Last year’s Colony Days Queen Jeanne Colvin crowned this year’s Queen Bonne Scott and last year’s King Lamon Colvin crowned this year’s King, Jack Scott. In place of last year’s Grand Marshal Bob Brown,

2018 Colony Days Queen Jeanne Colvin crowns this year’s Queen, Bonne Scott during the Colony Tea royalty reception at Atascadero Bible Church Sunday.

who suffered from a fall a few days prior to the Tea and was not able to attend, Colony Days founder Maggie V andergon pinned this year’s Grand Marshal, Flora Mae Adams.

Participation in the Colony Tea is limited to those 55 and older who have been in Atascadero for at least 40 years.

Using her “teacher voice” so everyone could hear her, Pam Meyers emceed the festivities and passed the microphone to people to recall their fond memories of the township.

“I don’t know how we got so lucky to find this place,” said Bonne, describing how she only had a week to find a house for the family with three little boys in tow. “I can’t think of a nicer place anywhere that we would be lucky enough to have found

Photo by Mark Diaz

CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

”

By HEATHER YOUNG for the Atascadero News

ATASCADERO — Atascadero’s premiere community celebration, Atascadero Colony Days, is soon to be marching for the 46th annual event. The Tent City After Dark concert kicks off the weekend on Friday, October 4, followed by the Lions Club pancake breakfast, parade, festival, Tent City, Dogtoberfest and more on Saturday, October 5.

“Colony Days is one of the longest standing nonprofit organizations in Atascadero,” Colony Days Board chairman Nic Mattson said. “Kiwanis, which assists in our parade lineup and staging, celebrates 50 years this CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

Atascadero resident Mark Russo stands in front of his home at 7720 Cortez Avenue. Russo has spent the past several years adding to his collection of spooky items and decking out his home each Halloween. This year, Russo said his haunted house is bigger and better than ever and he wants “all of the trick-or-treaters” to come and visit. Photos by Mark Diaz

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TENT CITY AFTER DARK: JASON MRAZ: A night Concert fundraiser of positivity and love lights the night at Vinaup Robles | B4 | B4

Holiday Gift Guide

FOOTBALL

Paso Robles @ Sanger

“

EAGLES NIGHT: FOOTBALL: SENIOR Paso Templeton defense finishes season with makes three a statement B1 straight road| games | B1

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Bonne and Jack Scott are 2019 King and Queen CONTINUED ON PAGE B12

PREP VOLLEYBALL

Sept. 20

Tulare Team Tops Tournament

From left to right, Abel Flores and Ricky Hernandez, first-place bracket winners at the Atascadero Showdown Cornhole tournament, pose for a photo with event organizer Mike Lopicolo and their $2,000 grand prize.

By MARK DIAZ mark@atascaderonews.com

eptember is generally besieged with complaints about Halloween merchandise hitting the store shelves too early but you won’t hear them from Atascadero resident Mark Russo. With a yard overflowing with skeletons, witches and all manner of creepy things, Mark still has a long way to go before his house is ready for Halloween.

It started four years ago when Mark wanted to do his part to keep the house decorating tradition alive. Each year builds upon the last as the decorations and lighting become more and more elaborate. As the bedizening grows, so does the house’s popularity. Mark estimates 1,000 people cruised by to enjoy the view last year. He expects an even bigger crowd this year.

“It’s getting bigger and getting more folks,” he said, “which is cool, because we

FORECAST FORECAST || A9 A9

At American Riviera Bank, we are dedicated to being a true community bank that knows and cares about our customers.

We’re a bank built on relationships — with you and with our community, tailored to your specific needs.

CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

INSIDE

SPORTS

WEEK IN PHOTOS

ENTERTAINMENT

FOUNDERS DAY Templeton celebrates its history Nov. 20 | A4

EAGLES STAY HOT: Takes down Santa Ynez, 52-10 at home game | B1

LONG WALK HOME: ECHO raises $40,000 at annual fundraiser | A5

NICK OFFERMAN brings ‘All Rise’ Tour to Vina Robles Oct. 12 | B4

1601 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 296-1690 • AmericanRivieraBank.com

Members of the Atascadero Kiwanis Club lead the way at the beginning of ECHO’s Long Walk Home Saturday.

Photo by Luke Phillips

ECHO Hosts Long Walk Home

Event raises awareness, funds for homeless services

By LUKE PHILLIPS luke@atascaderonews.com

ATASCADERO — Dozens of participants joined the El Camino Homeless Organization’s Long Walk Home this past Saturday, raising nearly $40,000 for the organization’s mission of helping homeless individuals get back on their feet.

The event consisted of a march from the CONTINUED ON PAGE A11

WEATHER

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FORECAST | A9

At American Riviera Bank, we are dedicated to being a true community bank that knows and cares about our customers.

We’re a bank built on relationships — with you and with our community, tailored to your specific needs.

1601 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 296-1690 • AmericanRivieraBank.com

hal Flora Mae Adams to Serve As Parade Grand Mars

1800 El Pomar An Idyllic Event Venue

A

By Mira Honeycutt

once abandoned historic ranch in Templeton has lovingly been restored through the efforts of its new owners, Shayna and Nick Lerno. Named after its location, 1800 El Pomar is surrounded with a 360-degree view of the oak-studded rolling hills and is located just three miles east of town.

The Lernos acquired the ranch in 2017 with a mission to transform the idyllic property into a wedding and event venue.

“It was one big ranch, all a part of the Hawkins ranch,” Nick

“It’s all contracted to Daou winery,” said Nick of the grapes. (“It’s excellent,” said Daniel Daou). The rest of the ranch features an iconic aged-redwood barn, a three-story tank house, the Victorian-era farmhouse with an outdoor garden and many other original ranch buildings.

“This was an old, big pasture with cattle,” said Shayna as we walked around the expansive property. The rustic barn was filled with hay, she pointed out.

“The barn is currently undergoing retrofit and fire sprinkler process,” Shayna said. Completion is

told me of the site that sits on El Pomar near Neal Springs Road.

“Evelyn Hawkins then subdivided the ranch and sold it in smaller sections.”

The 46-acre parcel purchased by the Lernos includes a 20-acre vineyard planted to cabernet sauvignon.

expected by the fall of 2020.

When the Lernos, Central Coast natives, planned their wedding in San Luis Obispo seven years ago, they wished to hold the ceremony in a scenic property. Shayna recalled that most venues did not offer a weekend experience.

“You check-in at 10 a.m. and check out at 10 p.m.,” she commented. “Our vision was to have our parents stay

26 | colonymagazine.com

with us and we started racking our brains.”

After all these years, it’s serendipitous that the couple came across the 1800 El Pomar ranch this year to make their vision a reality — a venue where the wedding party can check in on Friday noon and stay at the ranch through the weekend to take in the wine country experience. “ The farmhouse is also included for the whole weekend,” Shayna said.

The old Victorian had gone through some remodeling but a much more loving restoration went into it with Shayna adding her creative decorating touches.

The house oozes Victorian charm with fixtures such as transom windows and a classic wrap-around porch. With four bedrooms and two bathrooms (plus queen sofa-beds in the living room and den), the house sleeps up to 12 people.

“You can have rehearsal dinners on-site,” Shayna added of this advantage. However, for the newlywed’s getaway, the Lernos have access to a lavish suite in downtown Templeton. When booking an event, the Lernos and their staff members are very much hands-on the day before and the day of the event said Shayna.

Shayna took me on a tour to the ceremony location, which is set behind the house and surrounded by vineyards. She pointed to the bridal pathway that leads to the ceremonial space positioned between two aged oaks. The

northwest-facing location offers plenty of shade for the guests in an early to late afternoon setting.

“It’s a perfect venue with plenty of open space to customize your wedding or event,” Shayna noted.

The 7,000-square-foot grass area complete with a concrete dance floor illuminated by overhead vintage lights provides an ideal reception site for up to 200 guests. A cascading fountain crafted f rom multiple wine barrels and a built-in rustic bar enhance the wine country vibe of the scenic setting.

“It really comes to life at night,” Shayna said.

The garage is equipped with a walk-in cooler for storing flowers, food and beverages, and the weekend wedding package includes tables, chairs, photo booth and a lounge area appointed with outdoor furnishings.

The couple is set to launch a wine label with some of the wine produced from estate fruit. The wine label, La Perdignus (Latin for worthy), will be sold through a small tasting room the Lernos plan to open next year in downtown Templeton. It’s all a lot of fun for Nick, but he commented: “It’s also a lot of work and it never gets done.”

“This is our first summer-intofall opening, but next year looks healthy as we have 15 weddings booked,” he said.

For more information, go to 1800elpomar.com

Colony Magazine, November 2019

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colonymagazine.com | 27

ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL REPORT

Council Kiboshes DOVE

I

By Mark Diaz

n September, the Atascadero City Council denied a controversial development located on the south side of town across from the Paloma Park. The 3-1 decision, with Mayor Pro Tem Charles Bourbeau dissenting, came after hours of comments from the landowner, experts and the public.

At the August 13 City Council meeting, during the individual determination portion, Councilmember Roberta Fonzi stated she wished to submit a repeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the mini-storage project stating she believed there was sufficient public interest to garner further review by the Council.

“I was told that we had more people that were protesting that at that particular [Planning

SELF-STORAGE PROJECT

Commission] hearing than we’ve had since the Walmart hearing — that’s a lot of people,” Fonzi said at the Council meeting.

Newton cried foul to the repeal, declaring on social media, “It was a blatant abuse of power since it was filed without any legal justification.” Newton also circulated an online petition urging support to “deny Councilmember Fonzi’s unwarranted appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of this sensitively designed and muchneeded project.”

In the end, the Council’s reasoning fell to the eventual development of the south corridor to the city and the character of the neighborhood.

Councilmembers Susan Funk and Fonzi, along with Mayor Heather Moreno, stated that a storage facility may influence what other types of business would be drawn to that area.

DRIVE-THRUS SURVIVE

Also in S e p t e m b e r, Councilmember Fonzi broached the subject of the growing number drive-thrus in the City of Atascadero. Mayor Monero agendized the topic and the Council discussed the issue at length during the September 24 council meeting.

“It was my perspective from serving on the Design Review Committee, the DRC, that the only applications that we had gotten in the last year were from drive-thrus,” said Fonzi in a phone interview.

Fonzi pointed out that building a business that generates a high volume of traffic in the Del Rio area, such as the already approved Taco Bell, limits the number of potential businesses the area can handle. Once an area maxes out on

the traffic it can support, the City would have to spend money on roadway infrastructure to mitigate the congestion.

“I don’t want to interfere with your ability to build,” said Councilmember Charles Bourbeau, echoing Fonzi’s concern, “but what you build [may] interfere with other people’s ability to build and we have to balance that.”

In the end, the Council fell short of placing a drive-thru moratorium.

It did, however, unanimously pass a motion stating the City’s policy for the Del Rio area. The policy holds no legally binding language.

It informs City Staff the direction the Council is inclined to vote. The motion included the possibility of including a traffic mitigation cost to developers when they proposed to build a higher than average trafficgenerating business.

.

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28 | colonymagazine.com

Colony Magazine, November 2019

Pope X3 |

WORTH THE HUSTLE:

How to Prepare for a TRIP ABROAD with the Kids Sarah Pope

T

hink of everything you have accomplished in the past 12 hours. You’ve most likely slept, had breakfast, went to work, maybe some grocery shopping, laundry and exercised.

Now, imagine spending 12 hours on a non-stop, red-eye flight to Italy, sitting next to your kid(s). The littlest one didn’t get any sleep (nor did I).

Another got severe motion sickness about 6 hours into the flight. Let's just say they had to barricade the area with plastic. A small price to pay for the lifelong memories and the experience with your family by your side.

I could suggest many of the things I couldn’t live without — the

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empty middle seat, tons of snacks, all the devices and sanitizing wipes — but let’s be honest here, all you need is lots of patience and a flexible attitude. Surviving a longhaul flight with kids is not always pretty, but as long as you can stay calm and roll with the punches, all will be OK. And the snacks! Really important. Airline food is not the best, especially for the picky eater.

The rewards of traveling with children weigh out its challenges by far. When it comes to building strong, smart, independent children, the world is one of the best classrooms. Our experience in Italy has helped us grow and bond as a family; gaining confidence and trust in one another. Traveling also means new people, new places, and new languages. By day two, my 4-year-old was greeting the locals with, “ciao!” and “arrivederci!”

Always be prepared to expect the unexpected. Each kid (along

with their electronics) carried their water, snacks and blind bag that I had put together weeks (months really) before leaving. Blind bags

are brilliant; surprise bags loaded with your child’s most favorite things. Like, coloring books, sketchbooks, friendship bracelet kit, etc. And did you know, you can download movies and shows from your Netflix account and watch them while offline? What a lifesaver. When we landed in Milan Malpensa Airport there was a 2-hour delay getting through customs. We were able to catch up on Captain Underpants without a problem. These things aren’t always available, but this could help children learn creative ways to occupy their time, which can help at home!

From traveling abroad to laying on a beach in Hawaii, these shared experiences build positive memories and a union that will last a lifetime. So get out there and get that holiday card photo in front of the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. I did.

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November 2019, Colony Magazine

805-434-4848 colonymagazine.com | 29

KIWANIS CLUB Helps to Feed the Community

The most recent volunteers to distribute food included, from left, Tony Villa, Denny Howland, Pat Lynch and Kathy Peterson.

A

Special to Colony Magazine

tascadero Kiwanis Club is celebrating a halfcentury of public service.

Chartered in May of 1969, the club has a number of causes it supports, such as distributing food to those in need on a monthly schedule.

“I’ve been participating in this food giveaway for the past

10 years,” said Pat Lynch, a past president of the local Kiwanis Club. Lynch is chairman of the club’s food giveaway program.

In this case, the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County shows up with a truck at Santa Rosa Academic Academy on the second Wednesday of each month.

When the utility truck, driven

by John Budd, showed up at

the school recently, Kiwanians were there to set up tables and prepare to hand out bread, f ruits, vegetables, meat and more. The greens were fresh and some items were still frozen.

The volunteers also help carry the food to the client’s cars.

On this most recent giveaway, Lynch was joined by Kiwanians Tony Villa, Denny Howland and Kathy Peterson. Also,

there to hand out the food was Lindsey Hamilton, an intern from Atascadero State Hospital.

Hamilton was working with the Food Bank by providing information about good nutrition.

The food is distributed yearround. During the summer the number of those who drop by for a food basket drops off. Lynch said they distribute from 20 to 30 baskets each time. During the

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Colony Magazine, November 2019

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Past President Pat Lynch has been handing out food to those in need for the past 10 years.

Pushing a cart containing food items, Tony Villa helps a client to her car.

school year, the giveaway is more robust. All a recipient has to do is sign for the food. There is no cost to the client.

Last month Atascadero Kiwanis Club members participated in collecting money to support the Food Bank. It was a county-wide event. Now these Kiwanians are a part of the actual handing out food.

Membership is open to adult men and women. Meetings are held at 7 a.m. Thursday morning in Kiwanis Hall near the Pavilion on the Lake. For more information, call 466-8529.

November 2019, Colony Magazine

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colonymagazine.com | 31

Motion, Second, Discussion

James J. Brescia, Ed. D

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

O

ften when I mention that there is an upcoming local board meeting requiring my attendance, people say, “You mean a bored meeting don’t you?” If you think local school board meetings are boring, irrelevant, or a waste of time, I disagree.

Locally elected school board members or “trustees” are non-partisan members of our community that ideally reflect the diversity of the Central Coast.

According to the National School Boards Association, a nationwide organization, 44 percent of school trustees are female (more than the rate of U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate) and nearly 25 percent are from underrepresented ethnic populations. Every school district in the country has an elected board of trustees.

These nearly 95,000 people make up the largest group of elected officials in the country. In addition to parents, teachers, staff, and administrators, school board members have a direct influence on the quality of education provided within the communities they represent.

“I’d be very happy serving on a local school board.

I just know that I have a responsibility to give back.”

Andrew Zimmerman Typical school boards convene one-totwo times per month, are open to the public, and provide governance for the schools they represent. Trustees serve four-year terms with staggered terms to prevent large vacancies from occurring all at once. In most cases, a trustee must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the state they represent, live in the jurisdiction they represent, are a registered voter, and are eligible under the state’s constitution to be elected to public office. Depending upon the size of the school district most trustees are unpaid or receive a small stipend and possibly health insurance coverage. Board members work from 10 to 40 hours per month on school district governance matters. School districts are complex, multi-million dollar organizations that require a governing board to oversee the needs of students, the needs of families, budgets, and to provide solid stewardship for the nation’s schools.

Highly functional school boards fill a vital role in maintaining local districts by always keeping the best interests of students first. Highly organized school boards that

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understand the meaning of trustee empower the superintendent, district administrators, teachers, and staff to manage their schools.

Five key components of effective school boards are to set a vision, advance policy, demonstrate accountability, play a leadership role in the community, and forge consensus.

The last component is often one of the most difficult to maintain in today’s media drenched political atmosphere. The title of this article is “Motion, Second, Discussion” not “my way or the highway.” An effective board is secure with differing votes and often encourages diverse opinions while continuing to forge consensus that moves forward with the majority vote representing the people who elected the trustees.

Experienced school board members know that true consensus is not about winners and losers. Motion, Second, Discussion asks all participants to consider and eventually affirm the key points: 1) “Are all voices heard?”

2) “Is the item understood?”

3) “Is it clear that the will of the group has emerged around the proposal?”

When a motion is made, if another trustee seconds the motion, the board then discusses/ listens/votes on the motion, and true local democracy emerges. I encourage everyone reading this article to thank our locally elected trustees, attend a school board meeting, and engage in the civic process. For additional information, please contact your local school district or the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education (805-543-7732).

It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.

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Colony Magazine, November 2019

Atascadero COLONY HOUSE Museum Temporarily Closes

I

n October, due to a rash of incidents involving drug activity, vandalism and aggressive behavior f rom the homeless population, the Atascadero Historical Society temporarily closed the Colony House Museum, located at 6600 Lewis Ave., Atascadero. Historical Society President Jim Wilkins said that after several incidents the organization suspended museum operations until security measures can be put in place.

“The homeless that congregate around the area tore apart our 104-110-year-old fountain,” said Wilkins, listing some of the damage the transient population has done to the facility.

The decision came after a person ran into the museum to hide from the police after a drug deal gone bad. Wilkins noted that most of the volunteers who run the museum are senior citizens and that the

November 2019, Colony Magazine

By Mark Diaz

society must prioritize the safety of its docents.

“It just got way out of hand,” said Wilkins in a phone interview. “There could be 30 at a time between the park bridge over there and our backyard.”

Wilkins said that the upkeep of the facility is an uphill battle with the amount of homeless who advertently and inadvertently harm the little cottage’s surroundings. He said ofttimes they get drunk or high and defecate on the property.

The society is looking to raise approximately $3,000 for up-to-date security cameras and floodlighting that would help deter the criminal element. Though closed for general operation, the museum can still be booked for private research appointments.

To volunteer or book research time, email atascaderocolonymuseum@ gmail.com.

colonymagazine.com | 33

'BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS' to Open at Paso Robles'

Wine Country Theatre

B

righton Beach Memoirs, the award winning, semiautobiographical comedy

by Neil Simon, opens Friday, November 15 and runs through December 1 at the Park Ballroom, 1232 Park Street in downtown Paso Robles.

W ine Countr y Theatre continues its fifth season with a play that Variety Magazine calls, “Simultaneously poignant and funny. The characters are fully dimensional, believable...An outstanding show.” Based on Neil Simon’s life, the play is set in Brooklyn in 1937. The comedy focuses on the Jerome family and their personal and collective struggles during the Depression.

The outside world is also in turmoil as the storm clouds in Europe become more ominous with talk of war and the fate of the family’s Jewish relatives in Poland.

We are introduced to Eugene Morris Jerome; the playwright’s 15 year-old alter ego. He wants to be a writer and his crowed, middle-class home provides the fodder for his secret memoirs that he is writing. Young Eugene is also absorbed in baseball, and will give anything to play for the New York Yankees, but would trade all that just to get one peek at a naked girl.

Directed by Cynthia Anthony, Founder of Wine Country Theatre, the play is much more than just a domestic comedy. “All of us can relate to the plight of Eugene,” states Anthony. “The mysteries of puberty, a crowded house, well meaning, yet bossy parents, financial struggles and the horror of being served 1800 El Pomar - Weddings, Events & Vineyards.......................................... 27 76 Gas Station.................................. 32 777 Motorsports.............................. 05 777 Tractor Sales............................... 07 A Beautiful Face................................ 09 American West Tire & Auto............... 07 Atown Family Med........................... 08

liver for dinner. But, even more importantly, we know that family can hold us together in even the most difficult of times.”

Eugene, the young protagonist obsessed with baseball and girls, is played by Curran Bojorquez.

As he shares excerpts from his memoirs, we are introduced to his over-worked father, played

by Tracy Mayfield, and his domineering, under-appreciated mother, played by Janine Elich.

His worldly-wise older brother is played by Thomas Grandoli. His cousin Nora, the beautiful dancer and frequent object of Eugene’s fantasies, is played by Elizabeth Umphenour. Her younger, pampered bookworm sister is played by Bailey Bojorquez and, the widowed asthmatic Aunt Blanche is played by Kristen Saunders.

“The caliber of our cast combined with Simon’s hysterical and loving script, promises to be a great evening (or afternoon) of theatre. Wine Country Theatre is thrilled to be presenting its fifth season of live theatre and we are grateful for the incredible talent and appreciative audiences.”

The show runs November 15 – December 1; Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at the Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles. Wine, snacks, and desserts are available for purchase; generous table seating allows refreshments to be enjoyed during the show. Tickets are $25 general public; $20 for groups of 8+; $15 student.

For ticket information, visit winecountrytheatre.com.

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34 | colonymagazine.com

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Colony Magazine, November 2019